The 13th Regiment of South Carolina Volunteers was formed in the summer of 1861.  The Regiment was the brain child of Oliver Evans Edwards who was born in Spartanburg District on November 9, 1819.  In response to a call from President Jefferson Davis about the 1st of July 1861, a large number of infantry companies were formed across South Carolina.  Oliver E. Edwards had fought in the First Battle of Manassas.  Answering the call of President Davis, Oliver E. Edwards returned to his home county of Spartanburg, South Carolina and with the help of others organized five companies which would later become part of the 13th Regiment of South Carolina Volunteers.  

Companies B, C, E, F, and I were all organized of Spartanburg County, South Carolina Volunteers.  Company A was organized of Laurens County Volunteers; Companies D and G were organized of Newberry County Volunteers; and Companies H and K were organized of Lexington County Volunteers. The men of the above companies left their home counties in August of 1861 and went to a camp of instruction at Lightwood Knot Springs, about 5 miles from Columbia, South Carolina, where the various companies were organized into regiments.  Here, the 13th was formed and elected its field-officers: Colonel O.E. Edwards, Lieutenant Colonel P.L. Calhoun, and Major T. Stobo Farrow.  After about three months of instruction at Lightwood Knot Springs, the 13th was ordered to the southern coast of South Carolina, near Pocotaglio, where it was brigaded with the 12th and 14th regiments.  The 13th was present at the well known bombardment of Hilton Head by the Federal fleet. On the evacuation of the position there, the regiment was successfully withdrawn, after some very muddy wading to the mainland.  It was next stationed near Green Pond, near the line of Colleton and Beaufort counties.  At this time,  the 13th, along with the 12th and 14th regiments, were formed into a brigade under the command of Brig. General Maxey Gregg. The brigade remained  on the coast of South Carolina until April of 1862 when it was ordered to Virginia.  Its first camp in Virginia was around Milford Station, on the Richmond and Fredericksburg railroad.  

As stated, the 13th Regiment was originally part of Gregg's Brigade.  After arriving in Virginia,  Gregg's Brigade was composed of five South Carolina regiments, to wit: 13th regiment, 12th regiment, 14th regiment, 1st regiment and Orr's regiment of rifles. These five regiments would remain together for the duration of the war as a brigade.  Gregg's Brigade eventually  became McGowan's Brigade and was a part of A.P. Hill's Division and became part of General Stonewall Jackson's Corp.  After Jackson's death at Chancellorsville, the brigade was made a part of the Third Corp. As a result of a wound received at Chancellorsville, Colonel O.E. Edwards also died.  The 13th then was led by Benjamin T. Brockman, also of Spartanburg County.  Brockman was promoted to Colonel and he also died of wounds he received at "bloody bend" at the Battle of Spottsylvania Courthouse on May 12, 1864. After Brockman's death, the regiment for the first time was led by someone other than a Spartanburg County native.  Captain Isaac F. Hunt of Company D of Newberry County was made the commander of the 13th and promoted to Colonel.

The 13th Regiment remained a part of the army of northern Virginia until the conclusion of the war. The 13th Regiment was present at the surrender at Appomattox Courthouse on April 9, 1865. Captain John Wilson Carlisle of Company C later recalled General Custer of the Federal Army passing in front of the 13th waving a white flag as it was getting ready to go into engagement.